Manali

Manali is a popular resort for all seasons and for all travellers. It has temples, sightseeing spots and adventure activites. Situated near the end of Kullu valley on the National Highway leading to Leh, it is a favourite resort for trekkers going to Lahaul, Spiti, Bara Bhangal and Zanzkar Ranges. The Beas river meanders through Manali town while snow capped peaks, deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards make it a picturesque holiday spot.
Manali is popular destination for adventure sports seekers being a staging point for a number of treks to Beas Kund, Chandrakhani Pass and sports such as white-water rafting, skiing in winters. This town also offers sightseeing opportunities like the exquisite Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Buddhist and Tibetan monasteries.
Best time to visit: March to June, October to February
Languages spoken: Hindi, Pahari, English
Climate: Cool summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall
Holy Places: Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Vashista Temple, Old temples in Jagatsukh
Adventure Tourism: Trekking, White-water rafting, Skiing
Natural Wonders: Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass

From Naggar, one can hire bike and go around places, do hiking and on the way visit the famous Roerich Art Gallery. We kept climbing uphill for over an hour only to find ourselves in the middle of an apple orchard. We sat there for a long time plucking and eating fresh apples and berries form the trees while soaking into the amazing view and the silence all around. Coming close to nature has become a luxury for city dwellers.

Almost 350 KMs out of 474 KMs long Leh – Manali Highway, does not have any civilization, although you would find some tented accommodations and tea stalls at every 30 to 40 KM. It is necessary to carry extra fuel because there is no petrol station from Leh till Tandi (around 365 KMs).

Had a lunch/prayer break at world’s second coldest inhabited place Drass (after Siberia). Winters in Drass are cold with average lows around −22 °C and as low as −45 °C at the peak of winter. The lowest temperature was recorded around −60 °C during 2005. We were told by some locals that everybody in mountain keeps at least 4 to 6 months food stock for emergencies.

After around two hours, we managed to reach a place from where we could easily walk up to Solang. The entire valley was covered with white snow sheet, and adventure activities like zorbing and paragliding which used to be attraction of this place were altogether missing.

It was a long long hill drive for sure and in such perfect conditions of roads that if I had any longing for hill drive then it should have been satisfied completely by now (Must have been 200 kms in hills in this journey). After having a bump free ride for at least 400-450 kms till now, finally I was to face reality.

A plate of Maggi for 50 bucks and a chai at 20 bucks may be a bit steep, but so is the place. Admittedly, the rampant crowd, jostling vehicles, hordes of animals, irrepressible mob of shilajeet sellers and such other elements do rob the place of exclusivity befitting a Himalayan pass at 3900+ mtrs – but that is how it comes,

Dear mahesh...thanks for liking my article...secondly..it is organized in sports campus and we use swimming pools washrooms...its absolutely clean & hygienic... so need not to worry...go on...you will enjoy Goa…